Philosophical, Mystical, and Moral Concepts in the Quatrains of Afzal al-Din Mohammad Kāshāni

Wisdom and mysticism are assumed to be the base and underpinning of Islamic societies’ life، culture and religion. The 7th century of Hijrah (13th AD) is considered to be the golden age of mysticism. Such Mystics of this period as Ibn Arabi، Sadr al-Din Ghonavi، Jalal al-Din Mohammad Balkhi (Molavi)، Najm al-Din Kubrā significantly affedect the Islamic countries. Afzal al-Din Mohammad Maraghi Kāshāni is one of the virtuous mystics and philosophers of this era. As few researchers studied his works and thoughts، he was unknown to most of the Iranians just like a precious gem، buried under the earth. This study presents an overview of works and background of Bābā Afzal. Then، the philosophical، mystical، and moral concepts of his quatrains are clarified. Employing simple method of his prose and previous poets’ tone، Afzal al-Din conveyed mottos، precepts، and mystic truths in his poems. He warns readers about instability of the world and invites them to avoid it. It is worth mentioning that، the present article studied those quatrains which are recorded under the name of Afzal al-Din Kāshāni.